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Japanese automakers sweep Autoweek awards at Tokyo show

December 4, 2011

The Mazda Takeri concept was named Best in Show at the Tokyo motor show by Autoweek editors. Photo by DINO DALLE CARBONARE

Press days at the Tokyo motor show have wrapped up, which means its time to announce Autoweek's editors' choices for the best of the show. The Japanese automakers came out in force this year, garnering all four awards for its home show.

Our choice for Most Fun goes to the Honda EV-ster. The EV features an open-air cockpit--part of the recipe for driving enjoyment--and an electric powertrain that hints at the future of propulsion. According to Honda, the car is supposed to deliver sport and pleasure. By the looks of it, it will deliver on both fronts.

Best Concept was awarded to the Nissan Juke Nismo, a hopped-up version of the company's small crossover. The Juke Nismo gets a matte paint job, 19-inch wheels and a unique interior. Nismo engineers also squeezed more power out of the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine.

"If there's one concept at the Tokyo show we'd like to see in production, this is it," Autoweek editor Wes Raynal said.

The rear-wheel-drive Subaru BRZ took honors for Most Significant. We're hoping it brings a return to the era of cheap, rear-wheel-drive sports coupes. West Coast senior editor Mark Vaughn made the call.

"The rest of the staff agreed, and Subaru's hard work paid off handsomely in this modern speedster."

Best in Show goes to the Mazda Takeri, which gets Mazda's new diesel technology and a style that continues the company's Kodo design language. The Takeri foreshadows the company's next Mazda 6 sedan and adds an idle-stop system and regenerative braking for extra efficiency. The Takeri gets Mazda's signature wing grille in front, which plays off the brand logo with wings bisecting the headlights.